The benefit over DLP is that they really can last longer than a DLP though if you're not planning to play any video games and just looking for a cheap, 'just working' solution you're better off with a DLP.

Raion-Fox wrote:The benefit over CRT is that they really can last longer than a DLP though if you're not planning to play any video games and just looking for a cheap, 'just working' solution you're better off with a DLP.

I've never been one for a "just working" package ... In terms what I plan to do with the projector - it's really just watching films and playing games during my "down time". I've read somewhere that if someone is comfortable building a computer (which I am), they should be able to maintain a CRT projector relatively easily.

Though thanks for your input and it is something I'll take under consideration.

Projection CRTs are more likely to be replaced for other reasons than just burning out. Burn-in on the phosphors is a big problem and it affects these tubes more than regular display units. You should be very careful about on-screen display characters, network bug logos, computer menus, or anything else that is permanently on.The other issues that Guardian mentioned also occur, but they can usually be fixed. Low emissivity from cathode depletion is reversed using CRT rejuvenators, and internal shorts caused by sputtered metal can be cleared by them as well. CRTs have much longer service life when they are correctly maintained than when treated as disposable, just like every other machine.

Another problem that commonly occured on rear projection CRT is the glycol coolant for each tube would fog up as it broke down under years of heat.This is why many rear projection TVs are blurry or foggy. You can drain the coolant and put in new stuff and have a nice crystal clear tube again. I'm not sure but I think at least some projectors also worked this way.

robespierre wrote:Projection CRTs are more likely to be replaced for other reasons than just burning out. Burn-in on the phosphors is a big problem and it affects these tubes more than regular display units. You should be very careful about on-screen display characters, network bug logos, computer menus, or anything else that is permanently on.The other issues that Guardian mentioned also occur, but they can usually be fixed. Low emissivity from cathode depletion is reversed using CRT rejuvenators, and internal shorts caused by sputtered metal can be cleared by them as well. CRTs have much longer service life when they are correctly maintained than when treated as disposable, just like every other machine.

I don't think I've ever seen a tube itself just plain "burn out" although I have heard of shorts (e.g. cathode to heater etc) but whatever shortcomings exist with a direct-view CRT are amplified massively with a projection unit. The tube will 99.9% of the time continue to show a picture, unlike a burned out bulb. There will be latent images and a decrease in picture. Unlike a direct view tube where you can expect many tens of thousands of hours, with a projector that lifetime is down to a few thousand. You have a LOT more power in a much smaller space. I think there is some relationship where power increases exponentially for a linear increase in brightness?

You may already be aware of this but remember that traditional single-DLP projectors have the rainbow effect due to how they form the color components of the picture. How severe it is depends on the projector, and not all people notice it.

Some modern DLP projectors use separate LED/laser light sources for each color which eliminates the rainbow effect. Triple-DLP projectors do not suffer from it either but they tend to be extremely expensive...